Spider



Nov; 1, v1938. R. D. FlsHER 2,135,070

SP'IDER FiledMay 22, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 1, 1938. R. D. FISHER SPIDER Filed May 22, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

fies @ttor/2C@ Patented Nov. l, 1938 UNITED STATES SPIDER Ralph D. Fisher, Long Beach, Calif.,` `assignor to Baash-Ross Tool Company,

Los Angeles,

Calif., a `corporation of California Application May 22,v

5 Claims.

quickly and readily assembled abouta tubing or the like and arranged in the spider body to grip L and suspend the tubing. i

Another object of this invention is to provide a tubing spider having tongs supporting the slips in a manner to facilitate their assembly about the tubing and their insertion in the spider body. Another object of this invention is to provide a tubing spider of the character mentioned in which the slips cannot fall or become displaced from the tongs and Vyet may work or shift with respect to the'tongs to properly conform to the tapered seat of the body and to properly grip the tubing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tubing spider of the character mentioned in which slips for handling tubing and other objects of Various diameters may be quickly secured in the tongs for use in the spider body.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tubing spider of the character mentioned that is easy to use and manipulate, that is light in Weight,

T Fig. 3 is a vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3--3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional View'taken substantially as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an Venlarged fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional View 'taken as'indicated byline 5-5 on Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line 6 6 on Fig. 2 and Fig. '7 is an enindicated by line 'I-.l on 1.

larged vertical detailed `sectional View taken as 1936; serial No. 81,2711 (ci. 24-263) The improved. spider of the present invention includes, generally, `a body I0 adapted to be arranged about a tubing T, tongs II, andslips I2 carried by the tongs II and adapted'` the 'body I0 to grip the tubing T.

VThe body Ill is provided to receive andl support the slips I2 for gripping the tubing T. In -accordance with the invention the body I0 is lsuch that it may be easily and quickly arranged in the operative position around the tubing T. The body I0 comprises a main section I3 and a key section or lgate Ill.v The main body section I3 has a flat lower surface I5 and may have a ilat upper .surface I6. Flanges 9 may be provided von the section I3 to 'increase the size of the surface I5, and elongate bolt holes .8 may be provided in the flanges 9 to adapt the device for arrangement on tubing heads of various sizes and shapes. A central vertical opening Il is provided in the body section I3 to pass the tubing T and to receive 'the slips I2. The wall of 4the opening Il is tapered downwardly and inwardly to yform an effective seat for the wedge-like Yslips I2. An annular sharply ,pitched face I8 may be provided at the upper end of the opening Il to facilitate the introduction of the slips I2 at the opening. Laterally projecting horizontal anges I9 may project from .the main section I3 adjacent its upper end. The flanges vI 9 are diametrically opposite oneanother and .ears 2U and 2| project laterally from the section I3 at'points between the anges I9. The upper outercorners of the ears and 2| may be bevelled as illustrated. The ears 2|! and 2| are preferably/integral with the main section I3.

A `lateral or radial opening or channel 22 extends outwardly through the Vear 2Il from vthe opening Il.. The channel '22 is provided to receive and pass Vthe tubing T when `the section I3 is shifted laterally relative to the tubing to bring the ybody I'Il in operative relation to the tubing. The width of the channel 22 is preferably .somewhat greater than the diameter of the largest tubing T for which the device is intended. 'The sidewalls of thev channel 22 may be flat and parallel. Vertical dove-tailed grooves 23 are provided' in the walls of the channel 22 adjacent to and spaced from the opening Il. Recesses 24 are provided in the upper side of the section `I3 at the upper ends of the grooves23. is provided to receive the gate I4 as will be hereinafter described. Abail or handle 25 is provided on the earj2l. VThe handle 25 may be substantially square and has its opposite end portions 25a.pivotally received in sockets .26 in the =oppo to, seat in The channel 22 .i

tends through openings in the lugs 39 to hingedly with the handle 42a.

ly into the channel 22.

site sides of the ear 2| whereby the handle may be swung between an up position and the down or inoperative position illustrated in Fig. 2. 'I'he main body section I3 is preferably provided with a multiplicity of openings or chambers 21 to be light in weight.

'Ihe gate I4 of the body I0 is adapted to occupy the channel 22 to provide a continuous body assembly around the tubing T. The gate I4 is shaped to be readily passed or entered downward- Dove-tailed tongues 28 project from the opposite sides of the gate I4 and are adapted to cooperate with the grooves 23 to hold the gate I4 against outward displacement. Flanges 29 project from the gate I4 at its upper end and are adapted to seat in the recesses 24 to limit the downward movement of the gate in the channel 22. A transverse opening 30 is provided in the ear 20 and intersects the channel 22. A transverse opening 3| is provided in the gate 22 and registers with the opening 38 when the gate is in the proper position in the channel. A bolt 32 vis passed through the openings 30 and 3| to positively lock the gate I4 in the channel 22. A nut 33 may be threaded on the bolt 32. The inner surface or side 34 of the gate I4-is concave and is adapted to form a'continuation of the wall of the opening I1 whereby the assembly of the section I3 and the gate I4 presents a continuous central opening or seat for receivingthe slips I2. The gate I4 may be provided with an opening or chamber 35 to lessen its weight. A bail or handle 36 is provided on the upper side of the gate I4. 'Ihe handle 36 is diametrically opposite the center of the handle 25 whereby the spider may be suspended, if desired. A depression or recess 31 is provided in the upper side of the gate I4 below the handle 36 so that the handle may be readily grasped. p

The tongs I I form a convenient means for handling and manipulating the slips I2. II include two jaw members 38 of partially cir r:ular or substantiallyv semi-circular plan configuration. Overlapping lugs 39 are provided on the members 38 and a headed and riveted pin 40 exconnect the jaw members. Dove-tailed tongues 4I extend around the interiors of the semi-circular jaw members 38. The tongues4l are preferably curved concentrically with the members 38. Suitable handles 42 and 42a project from the outer or free ends of the jaw members 38. The handles 42 and 42a are rigid with the jaw members and in practice may be welded to the mem Y bers.

'I'he invention provides a novel latch means in connection with the handles 42 and 422L to releasably hold the members and their slips I2 in proper engagement about the tubing T. A sleeve 43 is turnably mounted on the handle 42. The sleeve 43 may be roughened or provided with knobs 44 whereby it may be readily grasped. A pin 45 on the outer part of the handle 42 limits the outward movement of the sleeve. A catch or latch 46 is xed to the sleeve 43 and projects therefrom for cooperation with the handle 42a. The nose or active end portion of the latch 46 has a notch 41 in its under side for cooperating A pin 48 projects from the handle 42 and cooperates with a circumferential notch 49 in the inner end of the sleeve 43. A torsional spring 50 is wrapped about the sleeve 43 and has one end part cooperating with the pin 48 and one end part bearing on the latch 46. The spring 50 urges the latch downwardly into .62 in the slips I2.

The tongs cooperation with the handle 42a. The sleeve 43 may be grasped and turned to free the latch 45 from the handle 42El whereby the handles may be spread to free the slips I2 from the tubing 'I' when the slips are free of the opening I1.

The slips I2 are provided to grasp and hold the tubing T. g lThe slips I2 are carried by the tong members 38. The slips I2 are wedge-like parts having tapered external surfaces 5I shaped to iit or conform to the opening I1 in the body I0. The inner sides of the slips I2 are concaved to conform to the tubing T and are provided with teeth 52 for gripping the tubing. The slips I2 are suinciently long to have extensive cooperation with the opening I1 and to project from the upper side of the body I0 when seated in the opening. It is preferred to provide two slips I2 on each tong` member 38. The several slips I 2 may be identical.

Novel means is provided by the invention for securing the slips I2 to the tong members 38. The projecting upper portions of the slips I2 are provided with circumferentially extending dovetailed grooves 53. The dove-tailed grooves 53 are provided in the exteriors of the slips I2 and are proportioned to rather freely or loosely receive the tongues 4I of the members 38. The grooves 53 receive the tongues 4I with sufficient clearance to allow the slips l2 to work or play and thus conform to the tapered opening I1 and properly engageabout the tubing T. Screws 60 are threaded in openings in the tong members 38 andy have reduced inner end parts 6I extending into openings The cooperation of the pin parts 6I with the openings 62 prevents circumferential shifting of the slips I2. In practice a'single screw 60 may be provided for cooperating with eachslip I2. 'I'he openings 62 are spaced substantially midway between the vertical ends of the slips.VY The slips I2 are related so that their vertical ends are spaced apart as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings. proportioned to properly engage about and grip a tubing T of specied diameter. The slips I2 secured to the tong Vmembers 38 as just described are readily removable whereby slips suitable for handling tubingv of various diameters may be readily provided in the tongs I I.

In arranging the slips I2 in the tongs II a slip I2'is brought to the position where its groove 53 receives the outer end' of a tongue 4I. The slip I2 is then shifted so that its groove 53 receives the tongue 4I and is further moved to a position where its opening 62 is aligned With-the innermost screw 60. A second slip I2 is then arranged on the tong member 38 in a similar manner and the slips are secured in place by means of the screws 60. It will be observed that the slips I2 are dependably held against loss or displacement from the tongs Il and yet may have sufficient play or movement to properly seat in the opening I1 and conform to the tubing T.

. Itis believed that the operation of the spider provided by this invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description. When it is desired to employ thespider the gate I4 is removed from the section I3 and the section is shifted laterally toward the tubing T so that its channel 22 receives the tubing. The section I3 is moved in this manner until it is substantially central with respect to the tubing T. The gate I4 is then passed downwardly into the channel 22. The flanges 29 cooperate with the recesses 24 to limit the downward movement of the gate. Ihe

tongues 38 cooperate with the grooves 23 to deflnitely and properly position the gate I4 where its The slips I2 arev inner surface 34 forms a continuation of the wall of the opening I1. If desired or believed necessary the bolt 32 may then be arranged through the openings 36 and 3l and provided with the nut 33 whereby the gate I4 is securely held against displacement from the section I3.

The tongs II carrying the proper slips I2 are then arranged about the tubing T and manipulated to enter the slips I2 in the opening I1. It will be noted that the tongs II may be easily carried and shifted about to manipulate the slips il as desired. When the slips I2 are in proper position about the tubing T the handles 42 and 42a may be shifted toward one another so that the latch 46 snaps into cooperation with the handle 42a. Thereafter the latch 46 holds the tongs in proper assembled relation about the tubing T. The slips I2 seated in the tapered opening I1 tightly wedge against the tubing T and are operable to dependably support or suspend the tubing. The slips I 2 may be easily freed from the tubing T by merely turning the sleeve 43 to release the latch 4B whereupon tongs II may be moved to free the slips I2 from the opening I1 and the handles 42 and 42a moved apart to release the slips from the tubing T. The spider provided by the present invention is inexpensive and is particularly convenient to use.

I-Iaving described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted .to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a tubing spider body having an opening for receiving a tubing and a channel communicating with the opening whereby the body may be moved laterally relative to the tubing to have the opening receive the tubing, a gate insertable downwardably in the channel to occupy the same, tongue and groove connections between the body and gate preventing outward movement of the gate, the body having recesses in its upper side at the channel anges 0n the gate adapted to seat in said recesses to have their upper sides substantially flush with the upper side of the body and to limit the downward movement of the gate in the channel, and slips adapted to seat in the opening to grip the tubing.

2. In a tubing spider having a body for eX- tending around a tubing, the combination of, two hingedly connected members having curved inner sides, dove-tailed tongues extending along said inner sides, a plurality of slips carried by each member and insertable in the body opening, the slips having dove-tailed grooves removably and loosely receiving the tongues whereby the slips may tilt about substantially horizontal axes relative to the members; and each slip having an opening, and screws on the members cooperating with the openings to prevent circumferential displacement of the slips.

3. In a tubing spider having a body for extending around a tubing, the combination of, two hingedly connected members, slips carried by the vmembers to have play with respect thereto and tending around a tubing, the combination of,

two hingedly connected members, slips carried by the members to have play with respect thereto and insertable in the body opening to grip the tubing,'handles on the members to facilitate manipulation of the slips, and means for releasably holding the members in operative position,

said means including a turnable sleeve on one handle, and a latch on the sleeve for cooperating with the other handle.

5. In a tubing spider having a body for eX- tending around a tubing, the combination of, two hingedly connected members, slips carried by the members to have play with respect thereto and insertable in the body opening to grip the tubing, handles on the members to facilitate manipulation of the slips, and means for releasably holding the members in operative position, said means including a turnable sleeve on one handle, a latch on the sleeve for cooperating with thel other handle, and a spring acting on the sleeve to hold the latch in cooperation with said other handle.

RALPH D. FISI-IER. 

